Rahul Gandhi notes rising risk in Assam, Kharge’s letter to Shah
Congress leaders claim Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma obstructs the yatra.
One day after clashes between Rahul Gandhi-led Congress workers and Assam police near Guwahati, party president Mallikarjun Kharge penned a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging him to intervene and guarantee the safety of Mr. Gandhi and other participants in his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
Following the clash, Assam Police lodged an FIR against Mr. Gandhi and other Congress leaders, charging them with criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, breach of peace, and more. The case was initiated in response to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s assertion that the “naxalite tactics” employed by Congress workers are inconsistent with Assamese culture.
In his correspondence with the Home Minister, Mr. Kharge outlined “numerous occasions where Assam Police failed to ensure sufficient security” for Mr. Gandhi, who holds Z+ protection status. He went on to mention the vandalization of Congress posters and the hindrance of the Congress yatra by BJP workers on January 21, which led to an assault on the state party chief Bhupen Borah.
“In each of the distressing incidents detailed earlier, the Assam Police consistently either remained passive or permitted BJP workers to approach Shri. Rahul Gandhi’s convoy, violating his security perimeter and jeopardizing both his physical safety and that of his team,” expressed Mr. Kharge.
He noted that none of those implicated in these events had been apprehended, despite clear evidence in the public domain. “With the escalating risk and the Yatra progressing as scheduled, we urge your involvement to guarantee that the Chief Minister of Assam and the Director General of Police, Assam take measures to prevent any such unfortunate incident that could result in severe harm to Shri. Rahul Gandhi or any participants of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,” he further stated.
Congress leaders claim Mr. Sarma obstructs the yatra. The clash in Guwahati occurred as police halted Congress workers from using city roads. Authorities, citing congestion concerns, had previously refused permission for the yatra on the city’s main roads. Congress workers dismissed the grounds for denial as trivial and attempted to breach barricades, resulting in the clash with the police.
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